Traffic safety

ISSUE: Another area trying red-light cameras.

Kudos to the South Florida local governments trying to bring cameras to intersections to nab red light runners. If the Legislature won't do its job, its up to cities and counties to handle the work.

Earlier this summer, Pembroke Pines announced plans to install the cameras at some hazardous intersections. Now, Palm Beach County is following suit, researching how to put the cameras at intersections where they might deter reckless driving.

Already, more than 100 communities in 20 states have installed red light cameras. They might induce more caution on Florida roads, except for the fact the Legislature won't authorize the devices. Seems like they're very concerned abut the privacy of drivers.

Very interesting. And somewhat hypocritical, since nobody in the state seems to have a problem with cameras rightfully taking photos of Sunpass cheats. But taking a photo of a red-light jumping daredevil who can kill someone - nope, that's an invasion of privacy. Not to mention that lawmakers in 2005 doubled fines on red-light running to help reimburse state trauma centers.

So some Florida cities, tired of waiting for state approval that might never come, have smartly looked for ways to do this on their own. And it seems that as long as the cameras are on city property and not state property, they can try it.

State legislators, of course, have a rather bizarre view of how to keep drivers safe. These are the same folks, you'll recall, who have failed the last two years to come up with stronger rules to crack down on the hundreds of thousands of unlicensed drivers on our roads.

In cities and counties that have installed red-light cameras, violators will either be ordered to pay a fine or appear before local code enforcement officials.

Hopefully, the cameras will make drivers be more careful. Maybe drivers will think twice before jumping a red light.

And maybe if our state legislators get out and start driving our streets and getting a first-hand look at some of the drivers out there, they would realize these cameras can be a great benefit.

BOTTOM LINE: If state won't do the right thing, let cities and counties do it.